Improved Security, More Courtrooms Major Reasons for New U.S. Courthouse for Nashville

Nashville federal district court judges today responded to a request for a comment on a story digested in TBAToday that questioned the need for a new Nashville federal courthouse. The statement by Chief Judge William Haynes makes the case for the new facility. It cites security concerns that the current buildings "lack separate hallways and elevators for prisoner transport," that the number of courtrooms is inadequate to meet the present and future needs and that land acquisition and planning have already cost $26 million. The TBA has repeatedly and publicly voiced its strong support for the project.